Chapter 89

ALISHA POV

Richard reached the entrance first and pushed the doors open without hesitation. He didn’t hold them for me, but I managed to slip in behind him before they closed.

Inside, the mansion was even more breathtaking. The foyer alone was larger than any room I’d ever seen, with a crystal chandelier hanging from the ceiling, casting a warm, golden glow over the space.

The floors were polished to a mirror-like shine, and the walls were adorned with artwork that looked like it belonged in a museum.

Richard walked ahead, his footsteps echoing softly against the marble. He didn’t look back to see if I was following, but I trailed after him anyway, my eyes darting around the room as I tried to take it all in.

I felt like an intruder, a stranger in a world that wasn’t mine. But there was no turning back now.

As we moved deeper into the mansion, I couldn’t shake the feeling that I was stepping into something far more complicated than I’d expected.

Something about this place, about Richard, about everything, felt heavy with secrets and expectations.

And yet, I followed him.

MAX POV

I walked through the supermarket aisles, scanning the neatly arranged shelves until I found what I was looking for…a fruit bouquet.

The bright colors of the fruits, expertly cut into flower shapes, made it look more like a gift than something edible. It was perfect. Mr. Johnson wouldn’t suspect a thing.

I smirked as I picked it up, the weight of the bouquet firm in my hand. This little gift was more than just a token of appreciation.. it was my ticket to stay close to him, to learn his next move.

His trust in me would only grow, and with that trust, I’d gain the information I needed to take him down.

As I made my way to the counter, I felt a familiar presence before I saw him. The heavy scent of cologne and the sound of expensive leather shoes clicking against the floor were unmistakable.

"Max," came the deep voice of Mr. Jacob, Mr. Johnson’s stepbrother.

I stopped, turning slowly to face him. His sharp suit and slicked-back hair made him look every bit the schemer he was. His lips curled into a smirk as he approached me, his eyes narrowing slightly.

"Mr.Jacob," I greeted him, keeping my tone casual. "What brings you here? Shopping for your next scheme?"

He chuckled darkly. "I could ask you the same. I see you’re getting cozy with my dear stepbrother these days."

I shrugged. "I work for him. It’s called employment, Mr Jacob. You should try it sometime."

His smirk faltered for a moment before he leaned in closer, his voice dropping to a conspiratorial whisper. "You think I don’t know what you’ve been up to? I’m certain it was you who stole that money from the company." I could see his eyes moves so evilly.

I laughed, a deep, mocking sound that echoed in the quiet aisle.

"Careful with your accusations, Jacob. If you’re not careful, I might just report you to the police for harassment." This time calling him by his name.

His eyes flashed with anger, but he quickly masked it with another smirk.

"Big words, Max. But I’m not one to back down. Don’t forget…I gave you my card and told you to find me. Yet here you are, pretending we’ve got nothing to discuss."

I tilted my head, feigning indifference. "Jacob, let me make this clear. I don’t work with amateurs, and I don’t work with crowds. You? You’re too loud, too reckless. You’re not my kind of partner."

With that, I turned and walked away, leaving him standing there. I could feel his eyes boring into my back, but I didn’t look back. He wasn’t worth my time.

Mr. Jacob

I watched Max stride away, his confidence radiating off him like heat from a flame. He was good…too good. The way he brushed me off, the way he carried himself, it was clear he wasn’t afraid of me.

But he should be.

"Bold little rat," I muttered under my breath, clenching my fists.

Max thought he was untouchable, but everyone had their weaknesses. I just needed to find his.

I couldn’t deny it—he was skilled. The way he moved, the way he handled himself, it was almost admirable. Almost. But it was also infuriating. I envied his composure, his ability to play the game so effortlessly.

If only I could control him, make him work for me. Together, we could bleed my stepbrother dry. But Max? He wasn’t interested. He wanted to play his own game, and that made him dangerous.

As I stood there, I made a decision. If Max wouldn’t join me willingly, I’d find a way to force him. I needed evidence—something incriminating, something I could use to hold over his head. He wasn’t as clean as he pretended to be. No one in this business was.

"I’ll find it," I muttered to myself. "Whatever dirt you’re hiding, Max, I’ll dig it up."

I started to leave the aisle when I caught sight of him again. He was heading for the exit now, his fruit bouquet in hand. But just as he reached the door, a sleek black car pulled up outside.

I stopped in my tracks, my curiosity piqued.

The door of the car opened, and a woman stepped out. My breath caught as I recognized her instantly. It was someone I knew very well, someone who had no business being here, meeting with Max.

I stayed where I was, watching intently as she walked straight to him, her stride confident and purposeful. My mind raced with questions, and a new plan began to form.

This was getting interesting.

MR. JACOB

Max was too smooth for his own good. That fruit bouquet in his hand? A front. I knew it. Everything about him screamed deception, and the way he brushed me off earlier only confirmed what I already suspected—Max wasn’t playing small. He was a schemer, a dangerous one.

I lingered by the store window, pretending to browse a display of discount items, but my eyes were glued to him. I couldn’t let him slip away without learning more. Something about him reeked of secrets, and I was determined to uncover them.

Just as I was considering tailing him discreetly, a sleek black car pulled up outside. My curiosity spiked.

The door opened, and I froze when I saw who stepped out. Nadia. Of all people, her. The infamous socialite whose scandals filled gossip columns. The same woman who had been caught in that viral photo with my stepbrother’s future husband, Richard.

What was she doing here, meeting Max?

She walked toward him with the kind of confidence only someone who knew they were untouchable could have. Her heels clicked against the pavement, her stride sharp and deliberate.

I ducked behind a shelf, peeking just enough to watch the exchange. Max greeted her with a nod, and then, in a move that confirmed my suspicions, he turned his head, scanning the area like a hawk.

He was checking to see if they were being watched.

I held my breath, pressing myself further into the shadows. He was smart, I’d give him that, but not smart enough to spot me.

Satisfied, Max opened the car door for Nadia. She slid in gracefully, her face calm and composed. Max followed her, shutting the door behind him.

I couldn’t let this go. Whatever they were up to, it was big, and it could be my leverage.

Moving quietly, I crept closer to the car, staying low and out of sight. The tinted windows shielded them from view, but the faint hum of their voices drifted through the crack of a slightly open window.

I crouched behind a nearby trash can, straining to hear.

“How’s the plan going?” Max’s voice was calm, almost casual, but there was an edge to it—a cold, calculating undertone.

“It’s going well,” Nadia replied smoothly. “No hiccups so far.”

I furrowed my brow, my curiosity deepening. Plan? What plan?

Max hummed in approval, his tone laced with satisfaction. “Good. We can’t afford any slip-ups. You know how much is riding on this.”

“I know,” Nadia said, her voice steady. “And Alisha? She’s good with her acting. There’s no problem for now.”

My heart skipped a beat. Alisha? What did she have to do with this? Wasn’t she the girl Richard brought to my stepbrother’s house earlier?

I leaned in closer, my mind racing with possibilities. Alisha was involved in their scheme, and from the sound of it, she was playing a role. But what role? And why?

As I strained to hear more, I saw Max move. He reached into his jacket pocket and pulled out something small and metallic. My breath hitched as I recognized it—a syringe.

I stared, my mind reeling. What was he planning to do with that?

Nadia didn’t seem fazed. She leaned back in her seat, her body language calm and relaxed, as though this was just another day for her.

But for me, it was a revelation. Max wasn’t just a thief or a schemer. He was dangerous. Whatever he was plotting with Nadia, it wasn’t something minor.

I stayed rooted to my spot, my mind spinning with thoughts.

What was the syringe for? Was it part of their plan, or something else entirely? And how did Alisha fit into all of this?

I needed answers, and I needed them fast. But for now, I stayed where I was, watching, waiting, and listening. Whatever game Max was playing, I was determined to beat him at it.